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WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025

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Behind the Curtain: Whistleblower Accounts and Mounting Allegations Rock Josephine County Government By: John Oliver A wave of whistleblower revelations and mounting public frustration have cracked open deeper concerns about the inner workings of Josephine County’s leadership. From questionable contracts and selective hiring practices to an alleged culture of retaliation, favoritism, and backroom power plays, current and former county officials now face growing scrutiny from residents demanding answers, accountability, and transparency. Over the past several weeks, multiple sources, including a former county employee with direct knowledge of internal operations, have come forward to provide detailed accounts of dysfunction and misconduct behind the scenes at the Josephine County Courthouse. Their statements— backed by emails, personal testimony, and public records—point to a breakdown in ethical governance that some believe has gone unchecked for far too long. One of the most explosive claims centers around former Commissioner John West and a previously unpublicized plan to award county employee Michael Sellers a contract reportedly containing a $10 million buyout clause. According to the whistleblower, West discussed the idea openly in the early months of his term, suggesting that the buyout was intended to prevent Sellers from being terminated by any future board of commissioners. “John would come into the front office and float these ideas to (employee 1) and myself,” the

source stated. “When he first started, he seemed to listen. But as time went on, his ideas became non-negotiable. If you disagreed, he got upset.” The idea of awarding a county employee such a large golden parachute stunned staff. “We thought it was absurd,” the whistleblower said. “And now he’s pretending like it never happened.” West has publicly denied involvement in such a contract and has attempted to shift blame toward current Commissioner Andreas Blech. But those familiar with the inner workings of the courthouse say the initiative originated with West and that multiple witnesses can corroborate the discussions. Whether outside counsel was involved remains unknown, though some believe longtime County Counsel Wally Hicks was at least aware of the idea, given West’s frequent visits to his office. The buyout proposal has since become em-

blematic of broader issues—namely, questionable fiscal priorities, lack of transparency, and concentrated decision-making power behind closed doors. As the fallout deepens, former Commissioner John West has emerged as a symbol of political contradiction in Josephine County. After publicly claiming to distance himself from Commissioners Chris Barnett and Ron Smith, West has since reversed course—criticizing both men while simultaneously admitting he supported their campaigns financially and even helped place signs for Smith. These admissions directly undermine his earlier denials and contradict the basis of a defamation lawsuit he filed against this newspaper for reporting those very same facts. Residents are growing increasingly skeptical of West’s motives, with many accusing him of “playing both sides of the fence” in an effort to

Trump Declares Two New National Holidays Honoring World War Victories By: John Oliver President Donald J. Trump has announced the creation of two new national holidays aimed at commemorating the United States' victories in the First and Second World Wars. The dates designated for these observances are November 11 and May 8—chosen to align with the historical conclusion of each conflict. In a public statement released Monday, Trump emphasized the importance of formally recognizing America's role in securing Allied victories during both global wars. “We won two World Wars, but we never took credit for it—everyone else does!” Trump said. “All over the world, the Allies are celebrating the victory we had in World War II. It’s time we do the same.” According to Trump, the United States has lacked specific national holidays honoring the military triumphs of World War I and World War II, despite its central role in both. While Veterans Day is already observed on November 11—coinciding with the end of World War I in 1918—Trump’s declaration aims to reframe the holiday’s focus toward celebrating American victory, rather than solely honoring service members. Trump's second declared holiday, May 8, commemorates Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), which marked the official surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945. While VE Day is wide-

ly celebrated in countries such as the United Kingdom and France, it has not been a designated holiday in the U.S. until now. “These victories were turning points in history,” Trump said. “The armistice of World War I was signed on November 11, 1918, and the defeat of tyranny in World War II was achieved on May 8, 1945. We should be proud of our history and recognize it accordingly.” Trump was quick to clarify that the new holidays will not result in nationwide shutdowns. “We will not be closing the country for these two very important holidays,” he stated. “But we will acknowledge them, celebrate them, and remember the American courage that led to victory.” While November 11 has long been a federal holiday in the form of Veterans Day, Trump’s new framing signals a desire to pivot public recognition toward a more triumph-fo-

cused celebration of U.S. military achievements. Historically, Veterans Day was established in 1954, evolving from Armistice Day, which originally honored the end of World War I. The shift proposed by Trump could blur the lines between honoring all military veterans and commemorating specific war victories. May 8, however, marks a newer addition to the American holiday calendar. Though VE Day is commemorated in various ceremonies around the country, it has not held national holiday status in the past. Trump’s announcement elevates it to a formal recognition similar to Memorial Day or Independence Day. Critics of the move have raised questions about whether the declaration of new national holidays should be handled legislatively rather than through executive decision. Traditionally, the establishment of a federal holiday requires an act of Congress. As of this writing, no bill has been introduced to codify Trump’s announcement into law, raising questions about its immediate implementation or longterm significance. Supporters of the initiative, however, argue that such commemorations are long overdue. They view the recognition of May 8 as a celebration of American sacrifice and a symbolic reaffirmation of the country’s role in defeating fascism in Europe.

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see HOLIDAYS, page 5

maintain influence regardless of who holds power. “These shifts aren’t just political—they’re strategic,” one citizen commented. “He’s trying to rehabilitate his image while quietly aligning himself with the very power structures he once condemned.” Sellers, whose presence has become a frequent topic of concern, is described in whistleblower accounts as a behind-the-scenes operator with outsized influence. Despite holding no public-facing administrative role, Sellers reportedly spent hours loitering around the Board of Commissioners office, often without any clear directive. “[a county supervisor] once asked him point blank if he was instructed to spy on the women in the BCC office,” the whistleblower said. “Sellers was logging questionable mileage and hanging around like he was waiting for marching orders.” When questioned about alleged mileage fraud—miles logged to Medford, Merlin, and elsewhere that did not fall within legitimate travel parameters—Sellers reportedly became defensive. Rather than facing discipline, he retaliated by submitting a formal complaint against Dan, claiming he would not meet with him unless legal counsel was present. Once, contracts and county business would flow through a straightforward process: Legal Counsel reviewed documents, and items were

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see JOSEPHINE, page 5

Unethical Conduct Exposed By Rabbi Russell McAlmond A saga that has ignited local controversy has placed former county commissioner candidate Chris Barnett at the center of a web of deceit. Barnett has been accused of attempting to suppress a damaging real estate lawsuit that cost 71 elderly residents at least $500,000 in damages, bringing the total judgment against him to $3.2 million. The case, which also implicated Barnett in “elder abuse,” has resurfaced with a definitive ruling from the Oregon Supreme Court, exposing his denials as falsehoods and raising serious ethical concerns. The story began during Barnett’s campaign for county commissioner, when rumors of the lawsuit first began

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see UNETHICAL, page 3